Lesvos
Lesvos Holidays
A traditional Greek island with a slow pace, Lesvos sits in the Agean Sea offering beautiful scenery alongside a wonderfully hot climate. The island attracts beach-lovers, history buffs, wildlife spotters and those who want to focus their Greece holidays on relaxation.
Regions
More than a sunny island
Holidays in Lesvos – or Mytilini as it's also known - are about sitting on the shoreline at a seafood taverna listening to the waves. This is particularly rewarding at one of the cluster of resorts in the northwest – Molyvos, Petra and Anaxos - which benefit from spectacular sunsets across the Aegean Sea.
There's also lots to see and do in Lesvos, especially if you like learning about the history of places you visit. From castles to natural hot springs, the attractions here are less about thrills and more about experiences. Peoples in Lesvos know a thing or two about how to make excellent food and drink. As well as tasting it, you can learn how some of the world's best ouzo and olive oil is made at distilleries and museums across the island.
A nature-lovers paradise, the island is brimming with olive groves and has a large bay at the south that many rivers flow into. This means Lesvos is unusually lush and green for such a warm country, attracting lots of rare birds to its wetlands and wildlife all over.
What type of holiday in Lesvos are you looking for?
Where to stay in Lesvos
This quiet village has a long beach with plenty of watersports and tavernas at its edge. You can head to mini island nature reserves just off the coast. An old windmill stands watch on the cliffs which lead north to the towns of Petra and Molyvos.
With the medieval castle at its centre, you'll find cobbled streets full of antique shops and cafes rolling down towards the harbour and beach. Hugely picturesque, the town is backed by mountains and pine trees. Combined with neighbouring Anaxos and Petra the trio make up a popular tourist area.
This traditional village is split between a busy beach and an old quarter tucked away behind. Perched on a rock high above the village is a church which beckons many visitors. Other popular attractions are the beautifully decorated 18th-century Vareltzidena's House and Women's Cooperative Cafe and shop.
Skala Kalloni attracts seafood lovers who come to eat the catch from the huge Gulf of Kalloni. At the centre of Lesvos, this town marries a rustic beach with a natural landscape beyond, perfect for spotting birds and turtles in. There's also a quaint harbour nearby, and Kalloni is the perfect place for shopping if you're after some souvenirs.
Quick Tips
- Greek Orthodox
- Euro
- Greek
- Approx 90,000
- GMT +2
Miles of sand
The third largest of all the Greek islands, Lesvos has 320 kilometres of coastline brimming with beaches. From the city beach at Molyvos to a huge bay lined with sand at Skala Kalloni, Lesvos holidays offer a variety of places to rest in the sun or take long walks through nature.
Anaxos has a quiet village beach where you can hop in a canoe or pedalo across to a small island nature reserve in the sea. There are many more secluded coves along this stretch of the northwest coast between the popular, but never over-crowded, resorts.
It's worth a trip to the south of the island to the excellent beach at Skala Eressos, which is often cited as the best in Lesvos. Alongside the beach is a lake fed by local springs full of turtles and fish. Monk seals live in the caves here too. On the other side of Lesvos' large southern bay, Vatera is another top pick with seven kilometres of uninterrupted sand.
Historical sights
Lesvos has been inhabited since the Bronze Age and was once only second to Athens as a centre of civilisation, so it has examples of history and ancient architecture everywhere. The two largest towns on the island – the capital Mytilene and charming Molyvos - both have impressive medieval castles dominating the skylines.
Petra is a small fishing village which boasts the 18th-century wonders of Panagia Glykofilousa Church high on a rocky outcrop and Vareltzidaina's House, a mansion which is also a museum. Or travel to Moria to see the well-preserved Roman aqueduct with 17 arches. Package holidays to Lesvos give you the opportunity to explore all kinds of fascinating history.